Spain-Morocco Gibraltar undersea tunnel inspires Elon Musk’s Dubai loop
The planned continental tunnel project connecting Spain and Morocco beneath the strait of Gibraltar has inspired American entrepreneur Elon Musk, who aims to develop a similar initiative in the United Arab Emirates called the “Dubai Loop.”
According to Spanish media, Musk’s “Dubai Loop” project resembles the tunnel Spain and Morocco plan to build in the coming years to link their territories through an underwater tunnel beneath the Strait of Gibraltar.
The “Dubai Loop,” an innovative underground transportation system expected to revolutionize urban mobility in Dubai, is developed by Musk’s company, The Boring Company. The project seeks to reduce traffic congestion by offering an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative to traditional transportation in one of the world’s most innovative cities.
The 17-kilometers of underground tunnels will connect major Dubai areas through 100 transport stations, with self-driving electric vehicles initially transporting up to 20,000 passengers per hour. The tunnels will also feature advanced ventilation and fire protection systems to ensure passenger safety.
Spanish media noted striking similarities between the Dubai initiative and the proposed Spain-Morocco tunnel, which aims to create a fixed link between Europe and Africa. Spain recently allocated €1.6 million, reduced from an initial €2.4 million budget, to study the tunnel’s viability, with German tunneling giant Herrenknecht conducting the feasibility assessment expected to conclude this June.
The cross-strait connection gains urgency as Spain, Morocco, and Portugal prepare to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Morocco has committed $1.25 billion to highway infrastructure projects running from 2025 to 2032, including the Continental Rabat-Casablanca Highway, Tit Mellil-Berrechid Highway, and upgrades to the Ain Harrouda and Sidi Maarouf junctions.
Both projects represent ambitious infrastructure visions addressing regional connectivity challenges. While Musk’s Dubai Loop focuses on urban mobility innovation, the Spain-Morocco tunnel would create an intercontinental link with profound economic and social implications. The parallel timing of these announcements underscores growing global interest in revolutionary transportation infrastructure that could reshape regional dynamics and accelerate economic integration.